Years of Production: 1865 through 1889Compostion: Copper and nickelMinted at: Three cent nickels were struck at the Philadelphia MintLocation of Mint Mark: No mint mark - all three cent nickels were struck at the Philadelphia MintDesigner: The three cent nickel was designed by James B. LongacreComments: Although one thinks of a 'nickel' as a five cent coin, the first coin to carry the name nickel was worth three cents. Click coins at right to view obverse and reverse coin detail.

Coin collecting or Numismatics rewards the hobbyist in many ways. Coin values can be strictly described as the monetary value or price of given coins; but the knowledge of history, economics and geography available to coin collectors makes coin collecting an invaluable experience well worth sharing with friends, children and grandchildren.

A coin collection need not start with particularly old, rare, or valuable coins of gold or silver. Young collectors are captivated by the unfamiliar designs of such standard American coins as the Indian Head Penny and the Buffalo Nickel. Representative examples of such quintessential coins can be obtained at minimal cost to novice collectors willing to accept coins with high mintages or some wear. Patient culling can be more economical than paying dealer prices. Such coins will help teach basic lessons in grading coins and help to fill up the empty slots in the novice's coin albums. The newly released State Quarters series and Sacagawea Dollars can also be interesting points of entry for young hobbyists discovering the world of coin collecting.